St. Agnes Academy Announces Top Honors for the Class of 2021

St. Agnes Academy is pleased to announce the top honors in the Class of 2021. Congratulations to Valedictorian Sarah Wray, Salutatorian Celia Watson, and Third Honors Elizabeth Podraza.

Valedictorian

St. Agnes Academy Valedictorian Sarah Wray has distinguished herself as an outstanding student, leader and volunteer. Sarah earned recognition as a National Merit Finalist and as an AP Scholar with Distinction. She  is a member of the Aquinas Chapter of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and National Spanish Honor Society.

A student at SAA since 7^thgrade, Sarah has always shown a commitment to serving the St. Agnes community.  As a senior, she was the Vice President of the Student Government, and she previously served as SGA Treasurer and Secretary as well as freshman class president. She was a peer mentor,  a retreat leader and a volunteer tutor in the SAA Math Lab. She was also active in Youth in Government, Beta Club, Pep Club, Forever Friends Club and the Star Squad. Last spring, Sarah was recognized by the Memphis Business Journal as one of the 2020 Girls Who Mean Business. She is a camp counselor at Camp Marymount and volunteers as a counselor at Madonna Learning Center. 

Sarah will attend the University of Alabama where she was awarded a University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship, a University of Alabama Alumni Scholarship, a University of Alabama Presidential National Housing Scholarship, a University of Alabama Supply Store Book Scholarship, and a National Merit Semifinalist Award. She plans to major in biology and pursue a career in medicine.

Salutatorian

Class of 2021 Salutatorian Celia Watson is a leader in the classroom and on the volleyball court. A four-year captain of the varsity volleyball team, Celia was recognized as one of the 20 Volleyball Players to Watch in 2019 and 2020. As a senior she was the Region MVP Finalist, Daily Memphian Player of the Year Finalist, and named to the Tennessee All-State Team. She received the James Lassandrello Award for athletic excellence and the Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award which is presented to the SAA senior athlete who has made the greatest contribution to the Athletic Program during her high school career.

Celia is an AP Scholar, a member of the Aquinas Chapter of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National English Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She served as Vice President of the Girl Up Club, Special Events Coordinator of Angels Among the Stars, retreat leader, Honor Council member, Peer Mentor, and Star Tour Guide.  She also participated in HOSA, Key Club, Spanish Club, and National Beta Club. 

Celia will attend the University of Mississippi where she received the University of Mississippi Engineering Scholarship, a University of Mississippi Merit Non-Resident Scholarship, and a University of Mississippi Merit Scholarship. She plans to study biomedical engineering. 

Third Honors

Elizabeth Podraza earned Third Honors in the St. Agnes Class of 2021. Elizabeth is a member of the Aquinas Chapter of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the International Thespian Society, the NJCL Latin Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Throughout high school she shared her talents with the SAA community as a member of the a cappella choir Ladies First and through her invovlement with the St. Agnes Theatre Department. Elizabeth was the recipient of the Margaret McNulty Walsh Music Scholarship and the BRAVA Scholarship. She participated in HOSA  and the Latin Club and volunteered in the St. Agnes Math Lab as a math and chemistry tutor.

Elizabeth is involved at St. Louis Church where she volunteers as a music leader for Vacation Bible School and is active in youth group. As a senior she worked as a Horticultural Intern at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Elizabeth will attend Mississippi State University where she was awarded a Colvard Future Leaders Scholarship, Mississippi State Entering Freshman Scholarship, and a Mississippi State Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship. She plans to pursue a career in medicine.